WHITESBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) — Prosecutors and defense attorneys are offering sharply different recommendations on where the trial of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines should be held.

The defense, which continues to object to moving the case from Letcher County, says that if the trial must be relocated, it should remain in an adjoining county, with Pike County as its first choice.

Attorneys for Stines say they expect to call more than 40 witnesses, most of whom live or work in Letcher County, making a nearby venue more convenient. They also argue that publicity surrounding the case has spread statewide through television, livestreams and social media, making distance from Letcher County less meaningful.

Prosecutors, however, are recommending Christian, Daviess or Warren counties. They argue Eastern Kentucky has received particularly heavy coverage of the case and say those three counties are served by different media markets and have larger potential jury pools.

The judge will ultimately decide where the trial will be held.